Mangalore, April 19: Mahendra Kumar, the former state convener of Bajrang Dal, who recently had a change of heart and joined the JD (S), has condemned the recent attacks on Christian welfare organizations. He said that any communal hurdles to social welfare activities for Dalits and minorities should be dealt with severely. Further speaking about the matter, he said that any communal acts, motivated by the Sangh Parivar in the name of Hindutva, should be condemned.

Mahendra Kumar, who was allegedly persuaded by JD (S) chief Kumaraswamy to change his ways and reconcile with the minorities has already had many peace meetings with religious and community heads, say his supporters. Many of his supporters have also quit their previous ways and decided to start life afresh, it is alleged.

A JD(S) leader is reported to have said that the party is attempting to wean gifted and energetic youth, misguided by communalist forces that remain safe in the background. The leader said that the youth are made to realize that foolishness of getting into anti-social activities by such forces.

A supporter of Mahendra Kumar spoke of how a particular person went scot free just because he belongs to the upper caste although he admitted to have played a role in the church attacks of 2008. A leader of the backward communities in Udupi claimed that he has a list of poor people who fell victim to someone else’s games, pointing out that only people from certain castes get arrested and face court cases whenever there is a communal disturbance while the real culprits remain safe in the background. He said that the real culprits are highly educated people who reside in the USA or Europe and never face any trouble with the law.

A senior JD (S) leader confirmed that the services of Mahendra Kumar and his supporters will be used to construct the party in a positive manner. Kumar has neither an agenda nor political ambitions. Recently, he has been visiting places where churches were attacked and seeking forgiveness. He has also been making public statements regarding his change of heart and of how he must be considered an example for others. He says that he will do everything in his power to prevent young people from falling prey to communalist ideologies. While admitting that he has made many mistakes in the past, he assures that he has now come out of it and has changed.